Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-06

III
it reaches the consumer. When manufactured
into cloth and other goods and material for
use its cost Is not only Increased 10 the extent
OF the farmers tar1T profit but further sum has
been added for the benefit Of the MANUFACTURED
under the operation OF other tartn laws. In the
necessary to purchase wooen goods and material
TO clothe himself and family for the winter. when
he faces the tradesman for that purpose he dis.
way OF increased prices his tar1n profit on the
wool he sold, and which then perhaps lies before
a considerable sum thereto to meet further In
crease In cost caused by tariff duty on the man.
ufacture. Thus in the end he is aroused to the
fact that he has paid upon moderate purcase. as
q result OF the tariff scheme, which, when he sold
his wool seemed so profitable, an increase 10 price
prot he upon % ann
sold.
when the number OF farmers engaged in WOOL
raising Is compared with all the farmers In the
population is considered; when 1t is made apparent
sheep the benent Of the present tarifr on wool is
1ilusory; and above all, when 1t must be conceded
that the increase OF the cost OF living caused by
such tartn, becomes a burden upon those with
moderate means and the poor, the employed and
unemployed, the sick and well, ana the young
and old, and that 1t constitutes tax which. with
relentless grasp, is fastened upon the clothing OF
every man, woman, and child In the land, reasons
are suggested why the removal or reduction OF this
duty should be included In a revision Of our tarifY
laws
COMPETITION AMONG DOMESTIC PRODUCERS
In speaking OF the increased cost to the consumer
OF our home manufactures, resulting from a duty
laid upon imported articles OF the same description
the fact is not overlooked tnat competition among
our domestic producers sometimes has the effect OF
keeping the price OF their products below the high
est limit allowed by such duty. But it is notori-
GUS that this competition Is TOO often strangled by
combinations quite prevalent at this time, and fire.
quentiy called trusts, which have for their object
the regulation OF the supply and price or commod-
ties made and sold by members or the combina-
ton. The people can hardly hope for any consid-
GRAFTON in the operation OF these selfish schemes.
H. however, in the absence OF such combination,
healthy and free competition reduces the price
OF any particular dutlabe article OF home prOduc
tlon below the limit which 1t might otherwise
reach under our tarin laws, and If, with such re-
duced price its manufacture continues TO thrive.
1t Is entirely evident that one thing has been dis
covered wnich should be carefully scrutinized in
an enort to reduce taxation.
The necessity OF combination to maintain the
price OF any commodity to the tariff point fur
nishes proof that some one Is willing TO accept
lower prices for such commodity, and that such
duced by competition prove the same thing Thus
where either OF these conditions exist case would
seem to be presented for an easy reduction Of tax
alton.
REDUCTION OF CUSTOMS DUTIES.
The considerations which have been presented
touching our tariff laws are intended only to en-
| force an earnest recommendation that the surplus
revenues OF the Government be prevented by the
reduction Of our customs duties, and at the same
time, to emphasize a suggestion that in accom-
plishing this purpose, We may discharge a double
duty TO our people by granting 10 them measure
OF relief from tariff taxation In quarters where
| is most needed and from sources where 1t can be
most fairly and justly accorded
Nor can the presentation made of such consider.
ations be, with any degree OF fairness regarded as
evidence OF unfriendliness toward our manufactur-
Ing interests or OF any lack OF appreciation their
value and importance.
These interests constitute a leading and most
substantial element OF our national greatness and
furnish nrOu6 nrn0f frv,s
But II in the emergency that presses upon US our
manufacturers are asked to surrender something
patriotism, well as grateful recognition OF ad-
| vantageS already AFFORDED, should lead them to
willing cooperation. Nc demand is made that
regard; but they cannot fail 10 be admonished of
| their duty, as well as their enlightened SELF
fact that % financial panic and coanse to Which ic
| the present condition tends, AFFORD no greater
shelter or protection TO our manufactures than to
safe careful, and deliberate reform Is now offered;
and none or US should be unmindful OF a time
when an abused and irritated people. needless of
| those who have resisted timely and reasonable re-
lief may insist upon a radical and sweeping recti-
| fcation OF their wrongs.
The difficulty attending wise and fair revision
| OF tar1n laws is not underestimated. 1t Will
require on the part OF the Congress great labor
and care and especially broad and national con-
regard OF such local and selfish claims as are un-
reasonable and reckless or the welfare OF the
entire country.
METHODS OF RELIEF SUGGESTED.
Under our present laws more than four thousand
articles are subject TO duty. Many OF these do not
in any way compete with our own manufactures,
and many are hardly worth attention as subjects
| of revenue. considerable reduction can be made
In the aggregate, by adding them to the free list
The taxation of luxurfes presents no features OF
hardship; but the necessares OF life used and
sumed by all the people, the duty upon whicn adds
| to the cost OF living In every home, should be
greatly cheapened
The radical reduction OF the duties imposed upon
portation is OF course an important factor In any
effort to reduce the price OF these necessaries 1t
would not only relieve them from the increased
cost caused by the tariff such material but the
manufactured product being thus cheapened, that
part Of the tarin now laid upon such product, as
compensation to our manufacturers for the pres
ent price OF raw material, could be accordingly
mOiifed. Such reduction, or free Importation
would serve beside to largely reduce the revenue
any injurious effect upon our manufacturers On
the contrary, II would appear to give them a
facturers or other countries, who cheaper their
wares by free material Thus our people might
nave tne me- mts o n Soos one Ge
them from the depression, interruption In bus-
ness and loss caused by gutted domestic mar
and steady labor with its resulting quiet and con-
tentment.
The question thus imperatively presented for So
than partisanship and considered in the light OF
that regard for patriotic duty which should char
acterize the action OF those intrusted with the
veal OF a connding people. But the obligation TO
declared party policy and principle Is not wanting
| to urge prompt and effective action. Both OF the
great political parties now represented In the
Government have, by repeated ana authoritative
declarations, condemned the condition OF our laws
which permit the collection from the people OF un
necessary revenue, and have, in the most solemn
manner, promised its correction; ana neither as
citizens or partisanS are our countrymen In q
mood TO condone the deliberate violation OF these
pledges.
our progress toward q wise conclusion will not
lection and free trade. This savors too much OF
| bandying epithets- IL is a condition which con-
fronts uS-nOt theory. Relief from this condi-
tion may involve q slight reduction or the advan-
tages which we award our home productions, but
the entire withdrawal OF such advantages should
not be contemplated The question OF free trade
is absolutely irrelevant; and the persistent claim
made In certain quarters, that all efforts TO
leve the people from unjust and unnecessary tax
alton are schemes OF so-called freetraders is mis-
chievous and far removed from any consideration
| for the public good.
The simple and plain duty which we owe the
people is to reduce taxation to the necessary ex-
penses OF an economical operation OF the Govern
try the money which we hold In the Treasury
through the perverst0n OF governmental powers
These things can and should be done with safety
to all our industries without danger to the oppor
tuntty for remunerative labor which our working
men need, and with 0enedt TO them and all our
people, by cheapenlng their means OF subsistence
and increasing the measure OF their comforts